I-t-e Imperial Corporation Efcor Division

Padej Gajajiva

John Stokes

Thomas C Mooney

The present invention provides a coupling member for joining two generally coaxial, tubular members such as an electrical conduit. The coupling member includes internal left hand threads at one end and internal right hand threads at the other end with an annular groove therebetween. One end of a first conduit is provided with two sets of axially spaced apart external left hand threads. The coupling member is rotated so that the left hand threads thereof matingly engage the first set of left hand threads on the conduit and then is temporarily locked by engagement of the second set of left hand threads. The first set of left hand threads on the conduit will then be in the annular groove defined between the left and right hand threads of the coupling member. A standard length of a second conduit having external right hand threads thereon may then be matingly engaged with the right hand threads of the coupling member. After a few threads of the second conduit are engaged, the coupling member is disengaged from the second set of left hand threads of the first conduit so that the coupling member is free to rotate relative to the first conduit, whereby the coupling member can be rotated to fully engage the second conduit thereto. If desired, a sealing ring may be placed in the annular groove in the coupling member so that the end faces of the two conduits may bear against the opposed transverse faces of the sealing ring.

Swivel conduit coupling assembly

An elongated fitting, which forms a thread as it is screwed onto the end of a conduit, has an internally threaded tubular portion at one end which receives the conduit. A stem portion on the opposite end permits coupling of the fitting to external parts. An intermediate portion is provided for rotating the fitting relative to the conduit. A longitudinal slot axially extends along the wall of the tubular portion to permit visual inspection of the amount of conduit inserted in the fitting and for lowering the tightening torque required for forming the threads on the conduit.

Thread making fitting for unthreaded conduit

A coupling member for joining two generally coaxial tubular members, for example electrical conduits, fittings and the like, is disclosed. The coupling member includes an elongated sleeve having axially extending threads formed internally at one end thereof and an outwardly flared, deformable section at the end thereof opposite the threads. The deformable section has an inwardly directed lip for engaging an annular groove formed on the outside surface of one of the members that is to be coupled. The other member that is to be coupled is provided with external threads that are arranged to matingly engage the internal threads on the sleeve. Interface surfaces for temporarily securing the sleeve and the second one of the two members to be joined are provided so that the sleeve does not rotate while the first one of the two members is being engaged therewith. The sleeve is axially movable relative to the second one of the two members to be joined in order to permit relative rotational movement between the two tubular members after the coupling thereof has been completed. The interface surfaces are defined by cooperating tapered surfaces, where the tapered surfaces may be knurled, or a ring-shaped member interposed between the confronting ends of the two members.

Swivel coupling means for electrical conduits and the like

A ground connector for a jacketed, interlocked armored cable includes a body portion, a resilient grommet, a frictional washer and a compression nut. A longitudinally split metallic grounding ring is also provided. A first end of the grounding ring is seated in a bore formed interiorly of the body portion. The opposite second end of the grounding ring is provided with a plurality of fingers as well as generally U-shaped connecting sections for joining the fingers to the second end of the cylindrical wall of the grounding ring. The connecting sections and the fingers are both deflectable upon assembly of the connector. The fingers, which are initially at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the connector, point in the same direction as the direction of cable assembly. The free ends of the fingers act like barbs to thereby minimize retraction of the cable.

Growing community of inventors

Elmhurst, NY, United States of America

Padej Gajajiva